Mrs Shakur arrived in Preston in 1993 and got involved with a number of community initiatives, including setting up a carers group for people looking after Muslim elders and working for the Lancashire County Carers Services.

In 1997, she was awarded a carers’ award by the Council for Voluntary Services for her success in initiating projects in Preston.

She said in 2006 when she received her MBE: “I owe this award to the people of Preston with whom I have worked through the years.

“It is a great privilege to have worked with a multi-cultural society like the one we have here.”

Mrs Shakur is survived by her husband Dr Tasleem Shakur, her two sons Dr Rameen Shakur and Dr Faheem Shakur and two grandsons.